Severe Weather

Athletes who have fallen from grace

Nicknamed the "Blade Runner," Oscar Pistorius made history when he became the first Paralympian to compete in the able-bodied Olympics in London in 2012. In September 2014, a judge found Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide, the South African term for unintentionally -- but unlawfully -- killing a person. He was cleared of murder in the killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Take a look at some of the other athletes who have fallen from grace.

Roger Clemens -- Regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history, Clemens was accused of using anabolic steroids late in his career. He denied the charges, and was laterfound not guilty on all six counts of lying to Congress in 2008, but the damage to his reputation had already been done.

Tiger Woods -- A car accident in late 2009 brought his many marital infidelities to light. Despite a disciplined image, Woods admitted he had been cheating on his wife, and a number of women claimed to be his former mistresses. He lost his wife, some sponsors and all the golf tournaments he played in 2010 and in 2011.

Tonya Harding -- A champion figure skater in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Harding is best remembered for the cover-up of an attack orchestrated by her ex-husband and bodyguard on competitor Nancy Kerrigan in 1994. She has had several minor run-ins with the law since then, and has also dabbled in boxing.

Barry Bonds -- In one of the biggest sports scandals of the decade, Bonds was indicted in 2007 on perjury and other charges for allegedly lying about his steroid use during a government investigation. He was convicted in 2011, and later denied entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility.

Ben Roethlisberger -- The Steelers' star quarterback shocked his team, fans and the city of Pittsburgh when he was accused of raping a college student in 2010. Even though the charges were dropped, Big Ben's reputation has never fully recovered.

Brett Favre -- Once the golden child of the Green Bay Packers, Favre made headlines in 2010 for allegedly sending racy texts and photos to ex-New York Jets sidelines reporter Jenn Sterger. He was later sued for sexual harassment stemming from conduct toward at least two women who worked for the Jets in 2008.

Jose Canseco -- A two-time World Series champion, Canseco admitted in 2005 to using anabolic steroid during his career and accused a vast majority of other MLB players of doing the same in his tell-all book, "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big." He's since lost his home to foreclosure and been arrested on drug possession, aggravated battery and other charges.

Kobe Bryant -- Following accusations of sexual assault involving a woman in Colorado, the Lakers star held a news conference with his wife in July 2003 in which he tearfully admitted to having an affair. However, he insisted the sex was consensual and the charges were eventually dropped.

Lance Armstrong: In June 2012, the seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor was accused of doping and stripped of his many titles. In 2013, after years of denials, he admitted to taking banned substances in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Lenny Dykstra -- A former New York Mets outfielder who became a successful self-taught investor, Dykstra was sentenced in March 2012 to three years in prison on grand theft auto charges. Later that year, the feds tacked on another six and a half months in custody on bankruptcy fraud, money laundering and other charges.

Marion Jones -- In 2007, Jones surrendered the three gold medals and two bronze medals she won at the 2000 Summer Olympics after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court to lying to federal agents under oath about her use of steroids before the Olympics.

Michael Vick -- In 2007, the NFL star was sentenced to 23 months in prison after pleading guilty to a dogfighting conspiracy charge. The former No. 1 draft pick filed for bankruptcy in 2008 and in 2009, the Atlanta Falcons cut ties with him. Since then, however, Vick has made a comeback with the Philadelphia Eagles and other teams.

Mike Tyson -- He was the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world when he was convicted in 1992 of raping 18-year-old beauty pageant queen Desiree Washington. He staged a series of comeback fights after his release from prison, but made headlines again for biting off the ear of Evander Holyfield in their 1997 rematch.

O.J. Simpson -- Nicknamed "The Juice," Simpson was the first pro football player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season and had a successful career as an actor and football broadcaster when he was charged in 1994 in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. While Simpson was acquitted of those charges, he landed in prison in 2008 after being convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping.

Pete Rose -- In 2004, the former Cincinnati Reds player and manager admitted to betting on baseball games after years of accusations. Rose was ruled ineligible for the Hall of Fame in 1989 due to the accusations.

Comments

The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.